Gary Corcoran plans to meet Liam Williams ‘head on’ in the ‘middle of the ring’

The 25-year-old even doubts the Welshman’s reputed power and is bursting with confidence ahead of his British and Commonwealth title challenge on 16 July.

Corcoran, who holds the WBO Inter-Continental belt and is ranked fifth by the governing body, said: “As I told him, I’ll be there in the middle of the ring. The two of us are going to meet in the middle of the ring and have it out.

“I’m coming to rip the title off him. I’m going to rip the two titles off him and do it by meeting him head on.”

The super-welterweights came face-to-face for the first time in the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay, where Williams will end a three-year absence from fighting in his home country. After a respectful start to their press conference, insults were soon issued on both sides and it ended with tense shove.

Reflecting on the row, Corcoran said: “It’s just a bit of banter. It got a bit heated at the end. It’s building up the fight well and I’m just looking forward to it. It’s not pretend, it’s how I feel on the inside, that’s what I’m like.”

Corcoran turned professional at welterweight in November 2011, the same month as Williams, and has recently flourished with three consecutive 10-round decision wins over Rick Godding, Rick Skelton and Danny Butler.

Nicknamed ‘The Hellraiser’, Corcoran’s style is full on and often swarms opponents, overwhelming them with a high output. The Englishman’s attitude towards Williams is just as uncompromising but he insists it isn’t personal.

Corcoran, a member of the Peacock Gym in London, said: “I think it’s just a rivalry because the two of us are very competitive, that’s why it gets heated. A year ago, I was like he is now.

“The rounds are going to do me well in this fight. He’ll either go in the late rounds or on points. I’m very confident and if he hits me on the chin, I’m not going to fall over. I’m really up for this.”